FAQs
A: Kusske Financial charges a straightforward 1% annual fee based on assets under management (AUM). This means our compensation is directly tied to growing and protecting your wealth — when your portfolio grows, so does our fee, and when it declines, so does ours. There are no hidden charges, no commissions, and no product sales fees. Full fee transparency is a cornerstone of our fiduciary commitment to every client.
A: A 1% AUM fee means you pay 1% per year of the total assets we manage on your behalf, typically billed quarterly. For example, if we manage $500,000 for you, the annual fee is $5,000 — or about $1,250 per quarter. This structure aligns our incentives with yours: we are motivated to grow and protect your assets because our compensation depends on it. No commissions, no hidden fees — just one transparent, straightforward number.
TRUST & CREDENTIALS
A: Being a fiduciary means we are legally and ethically required to act in your best interest at all times — not what’s most profitable for us. Unlike some financial professionals who operate under a “suitability” standard, a fiduciary standard is the highest level of care in the industry. At Kusske Financial, every recommendation we make is guided solely by what’s best for your financial future.
A: A CFP® is a professional designation awarded by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards. It requires completing extensive education in financial planning, passing a rigorous exam, accumulating thousands of hours of experience, and adhering to strict ethical standards. At Kusske Financial, our advisors hold the CFP® designation, which means you’re working with one of the most qualified financial professionals available.
A: In Minnesota — as across the country — not all financial advisors are required to act in your best interest. Non-fiduciary advisors operate under a “suitability” standard, which only requires that a recommendation be “suitable,” not necessarily optimal for you. A fiduciary, like the advisors at Kusske Financial, must always put your interests first. This distinction is critical when choosing who to trust with your financial future.
A: Kusske Financial combines two of the highest standards in the financial industry: our advisors are Certified Financial Planners™ (CFP®s) and fiduciaries. That means Twin Cities residents can trust that every recommendation we make is objective, comprehensive, and 100% in their best interest. We’ve built our reputation in the south metro by delivering personalized financial planning — not one-size-fits-all advice.
TAX PLANNING
A: Yes — tax planning is a core part of our financial planning process, not an afterthought. We proactively build tax strategies into your overall financial plan to reduce what you pay in taxes today and minimize your total lifetime tax burden. This includes strategies around retirement account contributions, Roth conversions, capital gains management, and more.
A: Yes. Tax planning is a cornerstone of what we do at Kusske Financial. Minnesota has its own state income tax considerations, and we incorporate both federal and Minnesota state tax strategies into your financial plan. Whether you’re a working professional in the Twin Cities, a business owner in the south metro, or approaching retirement, we identify opportunities to reduce your tax burden today and over your lifetime.
A: Lifetime tax planning means looking beyond this year’s return and strategically managing your income, withdrawals, and investments across different tax buckets over your entire life. For Minnesota residents, this is especially important because Minnesota is one of the higher state income tax states — meaning smart planning can result in significant savings over time. At Kusske Financial, we model your lifetime tax exposure and build strategies to minimize it.
A: Yes. Roth conversions are one of the most powerful lifetime tax-reduction tools available, and we help Twin Cities clients evaluate whether converting traditional IRA or 401(k) funds to a Roth IRA makes sense for their situation. We model the impact on your current and future tax brackets — including Minnesota state taxes — and identify the optimal amount and timing for conversions as part of your broader financial plan.
SERVICES
A: We offer comprehensive financial planning for individuals, families, and business owners throughout the Twin Cities metro. Our services include retirement planning, tax planning, investment management, estate planning, insurance analysis, education savings planning, and cash flow management. Every plan is customized — we look at your full financial picture and build a coordinated strategy around your specific goals.
A: Absolutely. Retirement planning is one of our core specialties at Kusske Financial. We help Burnsville, Apple Valley, Eagan, Lakeville, and south metro residents map out exactly how much they need to retire comfortably, build a strategy to get there, and create a reliable income plan for retirement — all integrated with proactive tax planning to keep more of what they’ve saved.
A: Yes. We work with many small business owners in Burnsville, Eagan, Apple Valley, Lakeville, and across the Twin Cities south metro. Business owners face unique financial planning challenges — from self-employed retirement accounts and tax strategies, to business succession planning and personal wealth building. We help integrate your business and personal finances into one cohesive plan.
A: Yes. We incorporate estate planning into your overall financial plan to help ensure your assets are distributed according to your wishes while minimizing estate and inheritance taxes. We work alongside Minnesota estate planning attorneys and help coordinate beneficiary designations, account titling, trusts, and charitable giving strategies for clients throughout the Twin Cities area.
LOCAL & GETTING STARTED
A: Yes — Kusske Financial is a fiduciary financial planning firm serving Burnsville and the surrounding Twin Cities south metro, including Apple Valley, Eagan, Lakeville, Savage, Prior Lake, and Bloomington. As fiduciaries and Certified Financial Planners™ (CFP®s), we are legally required to act in your best interest at all times.
A: Kusske Financial is based in Burnsville, MN and proudly serves individuals, families, and business owners throughout the Twin Cities south metro — including Apple Valley, Eagan, Lakeville, Savage, Prior Lake, Bloomington, Minnetonka, and the greater Minneapolis-St. Paul area. We work with clients both in person and virtually throughout Minnesota.
A: Kusske Financial serves the entire south metro including Apple Valley, Eagan, Burnsville, Lakeville, Savage, and Prior Lake. Our CFP® advisors and fiduciary commitment make us one of the most qualified and trustworthy options for residents in these communities. You can schedule a complimentary consultation by visiting Kusske Financial.com — we’d love to learn about your financial goals.
A: Getting started is easy. Simply visit Kusske Financial.com to schedule a complimentary introductory consultation. We serve clients throughout Burnsville, the Twin Cities south metro, and greater Minneapolis-St. Paul. During your first meeting, we’ll get to know your financial situation, answer your questions, and show you exactly how we can help you build a more secure financial future — with no obligation to proceed.